UAE committed to stemming climate change: paper
Date
3/20/2016 2:09:40 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI 20th March 2016 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that the remarks by Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei Minister of Energy that the UAE is committed to curbing climate change is timely.
"The country seeks to annul the negative impact on the environment by promoting rationalised consumption of energy and decreasing carbon dioxide emissions" said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Sunday.
The UAE joined over 150 countries to mark Earth Hour on Saturday night. In a statement he said that the UAE by participating in the event aims to promote environmental awareness about the escalating danger of carbon emissions around the world.
Initiatives launched in 2015 showed that a majority of people in the UAE are considered economic energy consumers he said. A survey in 2014 of over 1000 UAE residents showed that 75 percent of respondents have heard of Earth Hour with 60 percent of these people planning to participate in the global drive. The survey found that 84 percent are either "extremely likely" or "somewhat likely" to switch to energy efficient lighting in an attempt to help the environment. It is a welcome sign truly that conservation of energy is a priority for a lot of people.
Earth Hour a worldwide movement for the planet organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature WWF is held annually to encourage individuals communities households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for an hour towards the end of March as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.
The support for the initiative from several UAE bodies is commendable. Masdar's CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi urged staff and residents to turn off lights and household appliances for the full 60 minutes.
Masdar is taking part in Earth Hour to reinforce the message that mitigating climate change can only be achieved through joint action and the spirit of collaboration.
RTA's effective participation in Earth Hour events is a testament to the priority placed on environmental sustainability. In 2013 the transport body set up the Energy and Green Economy Committee launched an award in this field in 2014 and motivated employees to contribute innovative ideas in support of the drive.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has launched the Carbon Neutral initiative to neutralise all carbon emissions during Earth Hour.
Sharjah has thrown its weight behind the initiative. The emirate was able to reduce energy consumption by 30MW and reduce 18 tonnes of carbon emissions in Earth Hour last year.
The Sharjah-based daily concluded by saying "At a time when global warming is creating havoc in a lot of countries when floods cyclones heat waves and biting cold spells are making life miserable for thousands an initiative such as Earth Hour contributes to saving the environmentand mankind."
WAM/Esraa/Moran